League Standings

Files for Problem Writers

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Oʻahu Mathematics League (OML)?

OML is a mathematics competition league open to high schools statewide. For the 2016-2017 school year, there are 32 schools participating (19 public, 13 private), including five Big Island schools who compete remotely.

Who can compete in OML meets?

Participants must be in grades 9, 10, 11, or 12.

How many students can compete?

There are two divisions for OML meets, Leibniz (formerly Division A) and Newton (formerly Division B). Schools that wish to participate in the Leibniz division may send no more than 10 students to actively compete. Schools that wish to participate in the Newton division may send no more than 10 students to actively compete, but only the top 6 student scores will count for the team total.

How many meets are there each year?

There are seven meets each year, usually held at a local high school. The first meet is usually scheduled sometime in September; the last meet is usually scheduled sometime in April. Breaks of 3-6 weeks are typically scheduled between meets to give students time to prepare for the next meet.

When are the meets held?

Meets are held on Saturday mornings. They start at 9 a.m., although schools usually start arriving at the meet site around 8 a.m. Meets usually end sometime between 11 a.m. and noon.

What are students tested on?

Each meet covers six different topics, from Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, or Trigonometry/Analytic Geometry. There are no Calculus topics covered, although Calculus may be used to successfully solve problems. These topics differ with each meet, although they do not change from year-to-year (unless OML coaches believe a change should be made).

Are students tested on all six topics?

No, each student may be tested in three of the different six topics.

How are students tested?

Students are given ten minutes to work individually on three problems of increasing difficulty. As the problems increase in difficulty, so do their point values. The A problem is worth 2 points, the B problem is worth 3 points, and the C problem is worth 5 points.

What is a perfect individual/team score?

Since students can participate in three events, and each event has a maximum of ten points possible, a student with a perfect score can score 30 points. A Leibniz division team of 10 members can score a maximum of 310 points; a Newton division team of 6 members can score a maximum of 190 points.

Wait … 310? 190? That does not seem right!

That's because we didn't tell you about the Team Event.

What is the Team Event?

The Team Event is a special fifteen-minute event. Each school sends three students that work together on one problem, which is worth 10 points.

Are we allowed to put all of our competitors in the easier events?

No, that would make things too easy! Each school can send no more than five students to each event.

How are tests scored?

The points are rewarded on an all-or-nothing basis. The graders only look at the answers written on the answer blank; if correct, points will be awarded. If incorrect, no points will be awarded. Points are NOT deducted for incorrect answers. NO partial credit will be given.

Are there league standings?

Yes! Each meet, teams are ranked in their respective divisions by order of total points scored (the more points scored, the better the rank). Teams that place 1st will receive one league point, teams that place 5th will receive five league points, and so on. Over the course of the year, league points are totaled; the smaller the school's total, the higher the school's rank.

Are there team rewards at the end of the year?

Yes. The Top 5 Leibniz division and the Top 3 Newton division schools receive perpetual trophies that they may possess for the next school year, and a wall plaque that they possess permanently. Also, the school that improves the most in terms of (1) league rankings, then (2) league points from the previous year receives a Most Improved perpetual trophy (and wall plaque).

Are there individual rewards for each meet?

Yes. All students who score a perfect score at a meet receive a commemorative ribbon. Also, the high scorer(s) from each school at a meet receive a (different) commemorative ribbon.

Are there individual rewards at the end of the year?

Yes. The top ten students according to scoring average (based on exactly 5 meets) will receive individual trophies.

I heard something about a Junior Varsity (JV) division?

Yes, there is a JV division that schools may participate in, if they wish. Schools may send no more than 10 students to actively compete, but only the top 4 student scores will count for the team total. JV teams must consist of students in grade 9 or 10 only. These students participate only in Algebra I and Geometry events. JV students may not participate in the Team Event.

Are there JV standings, as well?

Yes! To distinguish between JV and Varsity teams, JV teams are tested in their own rooms, and are tested using colored (rather than white) paper. The Top 2 JV teams will receive perpetual trophies (and plaques). No individual rewards are given to JV competitors.